I, and other secular Israelis, have as much right to determine Israel's identity as Chaim Eckstein. Fanaticism is in the eye of the beholder.

Israel was established as a Jewish country which is becoming more and more like any other country. So why fight for it? I can live somewhere else; have a better quality of life, make more money and be more secure. If it does not want to be Jewish, get rid of it.

I'm very sorry to inform you that this "Israeli holiday" (which I really doubt if you are an Israeli or not) has always been a day of rest and bike riding. If there are bikes for rent on this day, there shouldn't be any problem with that... stop imposing your idea's on others, it only makes us resent you more!

Nobody using any car during the Yom Kippur

During Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur! I hate religious coercion or any religious intrusion into my life

there i a 'QUEEN ' song about riding my bike. let the people that want to ride thier bikes,and other do what they want. the thing about some 'religious' people is that they think because they are relogious/dati/haridi eveybody else must be, i am not religious , it is just a quiet day for me to relax.

Israel proclaims itself a democracy, a light unto the nations. It is the fundemental right of all peoples in this land do as they want as long as it is within the law and the law is Secular not Religious. If G-d forbid people are forbidden to do as they please (within the law) then we might as well pack up and join the Taliban. This article is not about freedom it is about enforcing Religion on people nothing more or less Lets start stoning people or sacrificing animals or having our women walking around covered from head to foot in Black.

It is no big deal the people should rent them before the holiday and keep them, in the kryot on Yom Kippur the kids all take to their bikes as it is the only safe time for them to ride as there are no cars on the streets. I have seen parents actually walking down the streets with their little ones on trikes next to them, it is a nice way for families to relax. What I object to is lack on TV on Yom Kippur. I pay for Cable And they charge you for that day any how so who are they to shut it off completely. If they shut it off then they have no right to charge you for the service that day and should refund all clients nationwide for that day of forced no service!

Why is it that all "smart" commentators in the Israeli media have to write in an ironic style? It is really annoying and is not creative anymore.

It's fanatic to think that we- the majority of the hard working, IDF serving citizens want to run the country democratically- not theocratically?! We are the one who actually PAY the 90% of the taxes in this country in return for getting medieval, superstitious versions of Judaism- so called "orthodox" Judaism, jammed down our throats on a daily basis by a truly fanatic minority. How can "Rabbi" Eckstein write such nonsense!? Have you heard of FREE WILL, democracy, and religious freedom and pluralism? You're NOT my Rabbi so stop telling me and my fellow free thinking Jewish Israeli citizens what do eat, drink, say, or with whom to marry! SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH & STATE is clearly a must at this stage- we need it now before these religious fanatics turn our country into Iran or Saudi Arabia!

When I draw a linear scale with two ends, what do I put at the one extreme? The Zealots, of course? And what choice do I have if I have to fill the other extreme? It's the secular, who want to change the character of the state as well. It is time, that we get our feet back on the ground and write a modern constitution, that fully reflects the character of the state as a Jewish state. A constitution, that takes our 613 Mitzwot and puts them in a modern context AND creates the institutions, that facilitate a dialogue between the different factions of our society. I am born in Germany and I experienced how the business opening hours were expanded here continuously. And in Israel I really appreciate, that there are times of rest for everybody. Times, when we come down to earth - everybody! I appreciate, that the Jewish state allows everyone to self-unfold herself. I do not appreciate that there are individuals who believe, it was in their freedom to do this beyond the limits of a Jewish state! I am not happy with the character of the German state. What will I do? As soon as I can, I will pack my things and go to Israel! What do you think would I recommend to you???

Let others be free to make up their own mind. This is supposedly a democratic country, so let people decide for themselves whether they want to ride a bike on Shabbat/High Holiday's, ride a bus, drive a car, watch TV, etc etc. It's not anyone's business what someone else does, if it's not causing you harm. I'm fed up of people telling others what they can or can't do, when it has no impact on their lives!

....so we should behave as one. Yom Kippur either from faith or Jewish tradition should be sanctified, by the religious in shul and by the non religious with respect to these. One day of contemplation is also good for the agnostic but many are afraid to be confronted with their emptiness and hence resort to compulsory activities amongst which going dafke cycling.

It's not like there's currently a shortage of bicycles during Yom Kippur!

Why really has this issue been raised? Control, and nothing less. The religious contingent, wishes to exert its control over the remainder of the population. The author says so, at the end of the article: "If Israeli society wants to preserve its national assets, it must be aware of the danger of becoming an overly-lenient, unrestrained society in which nothing is sacred" Who defines "overly-lenient"? You? Who should "restrain" us, as Israeli's? You again? Practically speaking, if a poor person is able to use one of these bicycles, to visit family on Yom Kippur, Kol HaKavod!

With or without bicycle, let it go and move on. Yom Kippur is a reconciliation day.

I am not sure that the consensus asserted in this article actually still exists, particularly among younger secular Israelis (under 35 or so). Many secular younger Israelis have little or no attachment to Jewish history, culture & religion. This differs from those who wish to make Judaism more attractive, like including women and the like. These younger Israelis support civil marriage & marry abroad; may not circumcise their sons; do not observe Shabbat and holidays; and wish each other "a pleasant weekend" and not the traditional "shabbat shalom." They are in many ways like secular Europeans. This consensus of Yom Kippur being "Israeli" may have been valid 20 or even 10 years ago, but I am not sure that it is applicable today.

This is why we are fighting so hard for public transportation on Shabbat and all the other initiatives that may keep the negative effects of the yarmulke-wearing community at bay ( including the removal of Chabad members from Ramat Aviv mall to prevent them attacking innocent civilians and spreading their faith. ) Basically what they are saying is secularism is the way we should all seek to live our lives and we should do everything we can to drive those religious freaks out of OUR city. Their desire to have busses on Shabbat & bikes on Yom Kippur has nothing to so with are they needed or not its all about making a political statement that there is no place for religion in Tel Aviv. Where is the difference between a fanatical haredi who spits at a woman and a fanatical secular who hates religion and wants to drive out the religious? They are two sides of the same religious fanaticism coin and just as bad as each other. Next time people are moaning about te latest antics from a radical haredi they should remember there is radical seculars as well. It can even be argued the radical seculars are worse because for thm this fanaticism is political for the most part with the haredi its personal.

I am okay with your immoral behavior to a point, Gregg. Our society is as well, but you are really pushing it. Don't you dare insult the Jewishness of Israel when you are allowed to live here the way you do. Now you and your boyfriend enjoy your fudge-packing abroad. Freaks.

I was under the impression that riding a bike would be as much a violation as driving a car. Also, religious Jews will tell you that the Sabbath is even more of a holy day than Yom Kippur.....and yet most Israelis drive on Saturday. Frankly, I think my father had the right idea. He said the best thing is not to commit any sins in the first place that you'll later have to starve yourself for on Yom Kippur.

Under Jewish law riding a bike is seen as work and is not allowed on Shabbat or holy days like Yom Kippur. This is not about people actually riding bikes on Yom Kippur its about the city who own the bikes from renting the things on the holiest day of the year ( Yom Kippur is worldwide recognised as a holy day not an Israeli day ). Its about the city making a gesture to preserve just one day a year. If we want to be a Jewish state and not just in name only we should respect both sides. Seculars should not get everything their way all the time & neither should the religious but everybody wins sometimes and loses at others and I hardly see the idea of not renting bikes on one day a year is going to be the end of the world to the residents of Tel Aviv ( they managed just fine before the program started ) but it is a big gesture to the religious community. The fanatical religious who are uncompromising & fanatical seculars who are uncompromising are the problem for all sides.

calling those you don't agree with "fanatics" is no different than calling them "nazis" - not a helpful, or clever, argument. this article is poorly thought-out (religious coercion is not an essential part of israeli identity), and unconvincingly argued (with or without tel-o-fun, there will be bicycles on yom kippur). the use of terms like "fanatic" to sex up a weak halakhic and logical argument, would be lame even in a high school essay. it doesn't belong in an adult newspaper.

Wow "Secular fanaticism" - This is a new definition for a 'fanatic' someone who continues a regular conduct of life on a day a religious persons wants him to behave based on the religious persons unfounded and not shared beliefs. Which such fanatics the world will be safe. If only all fanatics desires were so simply accommodated. And why the abomination - well we all recognize it is a 'holy day' - do we? - did you not hear there are some secular people out there who fast on that day - so it must be true - . come one - one form of fantasim is the way the author tries to bring in a boogey man with his orwellian speak.

I'm not attacking you nor am I trying to insult you. I understand that you are a homosexual and that you feel frustrated because your ancestors religion condemns your sexual orientation. I am religious myself but I personally couldn't care less about one's sexuality. Its their business and no one else's. I judge a person solely based on his character; not on his sexual orientation, race, or believes. I see you as being somewhat resentful and perhaps fearful of the religious establishment. Unfortunately you can't avoid it. If you felt you could have lived more freely elsewhere, are currently unhappy living in Israel, you may be better off living in a society where they openly accept and promote your lifestyle. Do what's best for yourself.

Tell you what: first you take care of the idiots who throw rocks at emergency vehicles in Jerusalem on Yom Kippur and then we can talk about the damage renting a bicycle in Tel Aviv does to the Jewish soul.

IF modern Israel (Medinat Yisrael) were a THEOCRACY then the enforcement of rabbinical edicts, restrictions etc. on all Jews residing there could possibly be justified...at least in the mind of the religious enforcers and like-minded individuals. HOWEVER modern Israel (Medinat Yisrael) is avowedly a secular DEMOCRACY and has been so ever since its inception...thus there is NO secular legal basis whatsoever for the enforcement of ANY religious laws, obligations, fatwas, edicts on any one, be they Jews or non-Jews. Regrettably, the typical and perpetual weakness of the party in power ever since 1948, has allowed religious parties to be part of all Israeli coalition governments and thus given them though their underhanded meddling tactics/agenda inordinate and illegitimate power over the lives of the secular Israeli citizenry. Israel needs a Constitution which will delineate and absolutely define the SECULAR nature of the State. Such a Constitution would eliminate de jure all the spurious and false claims made by rabbinical authorities and their followers over their right to subvert the secular nature of the State (thus making it a de facto theocracy through these subversions). Those who don't want to live in a secular Israeli state should leave the country or get themselves time-machines so these folks can live in the far far past when supposedly all Jews were willingly obeying religious laws/edicts in the then existing theocracy (not supported by "historical" details found in the Tanach'). The absolute separation of "Church & State" is all the more urgent now given the frequently violent antagonism between religious and secular Jews in Israel. Notwithstanding claims to the contrary by rabbis and religious folks, secular Jews in Israel, be they atheists or agnostics or just Judaism-indifferent , are still full-fledged Israeli citizens and are thus entitled to be FREE at all time from ALL religious coercion & interference in their daily lives...even on Yom Kippur!

Have you thought of the consequenses of seperation of religion & state. 1) Israel could no longer be classed as a Jewish state its religion neutral one which cannot show favoratism to any individual group. 2) It means scrapping the Law of Return so no more alliyah. 3) The flag, the anthem and even the countries name would all have to change to something that doesn't reflect any individual branch of society. 4) There would of course be no need to refuse a right of return to the millions of palestinians as we have already given up the countries Jewish identity so what reasons do we have for keeping them out? The arabs are always saying Israel has no right to exist well in this case they would be right because Israel was created for the sole purpose of creating a Jewish state. Without that Jewish state identity what does the country stand for? Muslims or Christians have never had to fight for the religious identities of their many countries and they are proud of the countries religious identiy. Israel is the only Jewish state in the world and thouosands fought hard to create & preserve that but now secular Jews want to throw it all down the toilet because they don't like religion.

Israel is still called a "Jewish State" officially, but you know as well as I do that Israel is an Israeli state. Jews live in London, Brooklyn, Montreal. Many of them still come to Israel to vote occasionally, to support out of date views like yours and prevent progress.